Opals star returns to the court

Opals medallist Sara Blicavs will make her long-awaited return to the court for the 2025 NBL1 South season with the Melbourne Tigers.

Undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in March, the 31-year-old is back on her feet and has recently started playing again at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre – the home of the Tigers. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ???? ???????? (@sarablicavs)

This coming NBL1 season with her junior club will be the perfect way for her to adjust back into a playing lifestyle and make her WNBL return. 

“I haven’t been this motivated and this excited about basketball for a long time. Since my spinal fusion, I feel fitter, stronger and more athletic than I have ever been. A 31-year-old feeling 23 again is an amazing feeling”, she said.

“To be back with the Tigers where I spent some of my junior career brings back fond memories of when I was a kid just having fun playing hard. They have been nothing but a super supportive organisation who has only had faith in me. It’s a super enjoyable and professional environment and gives me nothing but great drive to get them wins.” 

The Tokyo Olympian played for Geelong in three NBL1 seasons, leading the then Geelong Supercats to the Grand Final in 2019 and a finals appearance in 2022. 

She joins a young core of Tylah Hooper, Leila Davis and Charlotte Brancatisoano for the 2025 season thus far. 

Stay up-to-date with all the latest signings via the NBL1 social media pages below.